Man accused of stabbing 87-year-old man to death in Union County

UNION COUNTY, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - A man is being held without bond in connection to the stabbing death of an 87-year-old man last September in Union County, deputies said.

Stephen Smithson, 51, is charged with killing Simual "S.A" Augusta Flowe, 87, at his home last year following an alleged eviction.

Police said on Sept. 6, 2017 they were called to Flowe's home located along Gribble Road for a well-being check. Flowe's body was found inside his home-office. An autopsy revealed Flowe died from multiple stab wounds.

Detectives determined the suspect, Smithson, was a former tenant of Flowe’s in a trailer park located nearby. Detectives believe Flowe evicted Smithson from a trailer while Smithson was incarcerated in the Mecklenburg County Jail during the spring and/or summer of 2017.

Once Smithson was released from jail, detectives believe he visited Flowe to discuss a place to live. Detectives believe the murder happened during this conversation.

Smithson is currently being held at the Union County Jail. His next court date is March 27.